Saturday, November 22, 2014

JOHN TOVES RESPONDS

John Toves responds to "SNAP says Archbishop Sex Abuse Allegations Only Rumors", posted at PNC

November 21, 2014

Chamorros, shall we forever be ashamed to breathe?  -  Will we always be afraid to say what is on our mind?  Will we always be afraid to stand up?

If this issue blows up in my face, I know I will be fine.  In fact, I will be so happy to have done what is right in the eyes of our Lord.  I will be ecstatic to have courageously served my creator!  What else would I have to gain - monetary benefit, no; personal attention, I do not want it (Facebook "friends" number in the twenties, my choice); or, run for public office on the island, never in my life - too painful.  I do it because my friends, my island, and my church are in great suffering.

PNC's follow up article was very much expected.  They are a business.  I have a business/management background.  Whoever created the headline I highly commend you on your business acumen.  Think of how soap operas are written.  Their objective was achieved in optimizing readership for the second airing of this story-line.

However, the single most important phrase is that "no one has come forward".  Of course…we have been taught to be fearful!  A classic tune had these lyrics:  "you've got to be taught/ to be afraid/ of people whose eyes/ are oddly made/ of people whose skin/ is a different shade, …you've got to/ be carefully/ taught.  Yes, we have been taught and we cling to that lesson for dear life!  What would my family and relatives say?  Would it look bad to others?  Will they not want to know or be seen with us?  Will they not talk to us?  -  Yes, we have learned well.

I was called a "nut-hugger."  I said "fine, I'll be a nut-hugger."  I was also called a "maronee" and a "pine hole", I said "I would wear them proudly."  I've said this to you before, my Chamorros,  -  when you see fear, you say to it "FEAR, GET BEHIND ME BECAUSE I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO!"

BASTA!  -  TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT AND WILL BE HURT!  YOUR CHURCH WILL BE IRREPARABLY DAMAGED!  YOU WILL PASS THIS DAMAGE ONTO YOUR CHILDREN!  IS THIS YOUR PARENTING???  We have been dominated by other cultures.  DO YOU STILL LIE SUBMISSIVELY???  APURON IS NOT A DEITY!  -  He is a human who breathes and bleeds blood; and, who lies, hurts others, hurts his church, and seeks personal wealth and stature.

As I said, I don't care if this blows up in my face!  I will have a clear conscience and the LOVE  of The Lord and Our Lady of Camalin.

Do what you need to do…

14 comments:

  1. Thank you for all that you are doing.

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  2. John Toves said "it was just a rumor?". i kind of saw that coming. I had a feeling if the cousin did not have the courage to come forward in the beginning, he will never be comfortable with it being made public.

    Sad truly both for the victim, the family and the church. let's pray for all. Archbishop is disgusting. I hope

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    1. From what I understand it is not just a matter of courage. The experience was so damaging that it took several years of therapy to recover. There could be some danger for the victim at this point in going back. But yes, sad all around.

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    2. Thank you John for the excellent interview. Rightly, it is only a rumor until a body comes forward. Body may well just be around corner. Often in life some truth to a rumor. In time truth comes out. Hope to God, for the church, it is not true, but if it is true it becomes a tragic part of our history as an island nation. Still, pray archbishop will exit in graciousness for the good of the church.

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    3. John C. "Typhoon Toves"November 22, 2014 at 3:28 PM

      Anon 9:35, please read the first two lines of this heading once again. I, did not say "it was just a rumor". SNAP categorizes it as a "rumor" when the victim does not come forward. Rumors often turn out to be the truth. They must be afforded time they need for healing. - And, coming forward would be the ultimate healing.

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  3. Very well said, I am with you brother.

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  4. Yes, thanks John for sticking to what your conscience tells you. I wish the victims will come out and expose all those involved. Your courage and persistence will wear away those who are hiding the truth.

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  5. Wasn't Father Paul removed from reports from only rumors?

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  6. Thank you, John "Typhoon" Toves, for all you are doing …

    Unfortunately, I believe the answers to your questions " … shall we forever be ashamed to breathe? - Will we always be afraid to say what is on our mind? Will we always be afraid to stand up?" is a resounding YES!

    I also believe that the cultural tendency to hide "shame and scandal in the family" overrides any desire to reveal sexual abuse by AAA or any priest, for that matter. While family members may know of individuals — male and female — who have been subjected to unwanted sexual advances, they will not be discussed above whispers and/or outside that circle.

    I hope that Anonymous (November 22, 2014 at 10:12 AM) is correct in the assertion "Your courage and persistence will wear away those who are hiding the truth." As Tim pointed out at 10:34 AM there "could be some danger for the victim at this point in going back;" but for others, healing can only begin when truth is revealed.

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    1. Correct Mary Lou. Much is at play here and people need to understand coming forward with abuse is a great mental burden. For many victims it can take twenty years or more to begin talking about abuse. Victims live in depression, some turn to drugs, some withdraw from the world and live very quiet life away from the institutional church. Very sensitive issue. Victims can be doing well for months and then suddenly go back into depression. But there does come a point in a victims life when they do talk. Often it is on blogs like this and then they gain strength and come forward. John Toves has simply inspired victims by saying " hey it's ok you can privately talk, and there is support for you." Healing then begins.

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  7. Even though it seems that SNAP places this as a rumor the damage of being accused is already done. It would be very hard for AA to hold his head high as he has done before all this started. The thing is usually when a person is accused of something they try to clear their name. AA has been quiet since you started your first YouTube video. He needs to really pray for strength and step down for there is no respect for all that he has done to the Catholic community.AA, gone are your days of control over all under our Blessed Mother Church. May God continue to bless us
    and guide us all. Thank You to those who have been educating us about this movement (NEO) that was starting to spread it's virus on us. Yes, we are gullible on this island but it only took this blog to open our eyes on the changes inside our churches handled by a Neo priest and the fight those under Kiko's banner to show on this page. Tim, you!ve been straight up with your fight with the bad things the Neocats have tried to do here and maybe I'd doubt the intent but, when they started bad mouthing you that's were I got pissed. Continue the voice on this fight for I trust you and stand by your doing for us. God bless you and God bless us all.


    jenn

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  8. By the very fact Archbishop is associated with such horrible actions along with his rich life style, gaining great personal wealth, dividing the archdiocese, causing disunity, damaging priests and people. Already not accepted as the leader of Guam. He must step down. Failure to remove himself will continue to divide the archdiocese. Archbishop no longer has integrity to lead.

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    1. Archbishop no need to return at all. Just let us pack ur loot and ship ur EQUUS wherever you are. Not welcome back. Adios.

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  9. Never mind the nay sayers. The Archbishop will be back soon to answer the people. Trust God, he is working through you. Trust the Holy Spirit!

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